It started with a switch from hijabs to Hermès headscarves. Now, after 30 years of Sharia law, the fight for women’s rights.
The huge rallies this week in Iran, the largest seen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, have included thousands of women, who have taken to the streets to oppose the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Some have dubbed itthe "lipstick revolution."
A week after the contested election that declared incumbent President Ahmadinejad the winner, protests over alleged voting fraud still continue strong.
Women, old and young, are visible at every rally-- chanting, shouting, defiantly flashing V for Victory signs, carrying placards protesting the election results, defying the police and, in some cases, facing brutal retaliation.
Others say the presence of so many woman is only the tip of the iceberg. "This movement is not about wearing lipstick and throwing their veil off," Kelly Nikinejad, editor of Tehranbureau.com, told ABC News. "It's so much deeper than that."
Areas that have had women world leaders since 1996 Demographics ofIran
Iran's population increased dramatically during the later half of the 20th century, reaching about 72 million by 2008. In recent years, however, Iran's birth rate has dropped significantly. Studies project that Iran's rate of population growth will continue to slow until it stabilizes above 90 million by 2050. In 2008, the number of households stood at 15.3 million (4.8 person/household).[4]
More than two-thirds of the population is under the age of 30, one quarter being 15 years of age or younger.
It started with a switch from hijabs to Hermès headscarves. Now, after 30 years of Sharia law, the fight for women’s rights.
The huge rallies this week in Iran, the largest seen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, have included thousands of women, who have taken to the streets to oppose the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Some have dubbed itthe "lipstick revolution."
A week after the contested election that declared incumbent President Ahmadinejad the winner, protests over alleged voting fraud still continue strong.
Women, old and young, are visible at every rally-- chanting, shouting, defiantly flashing V for Victory signs, carrying placards protesting the election results, defying the police and, in some cases, facing brutal retaliation.
Others say the presence of so many woman is only the tip of the iceberg. "This movement is not about wearing lipstick and throwing their veil off," Kelly Nikinejad, editor of Tehranbureau.com, told ABC News. "It's so much deeper than that."
Areas that have had women world leaders since 1996
Demographics
of Iran
Iran's population increased dramatically during the later half of the 20th century, reaching about 72 million by 2008. In recent years, however, Iran's birth rate has dropped significantly. Studies project that Iran's rate of population growth will continue to slow until it stabilizes above 90 million by 2050. In 2008, the number of households stood at 15.3 million (4.8 person/household).[4]
More than two-thirds of the population is under the age of 30, one quarter being 15 years of age or younger.